The Linemakers

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The San Francisco 49ers (5-2) and Arizona Cardinals (4-3) meet Monday night at University of Phoenix Stadium (8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN). Here is point spread information and trends analysis from The Linemakers on Sporting News. For updated lines, visit our live odds page.

Weather: Dome

Line: 49ers -7, Total: 38.5

Line movement: The 49ers opened as 7-point favorites last Sunday, and the line bounced around between 7 and 6.5 early in the week, but since Thursday, it has remained at 7. The total opened at at 37 and has been bet up to 38.5.

49ers outlook: San Francisco relied on its running game and defense to beat division rival Seattle, 13-6, on Oct. 18. With 11 days to prepare, expect the 49ers to follow a similar blueprint Monday, especially after watching Arizona give up 166 yards rushing in last week's loss at Minnesota. Frank Gore ran for a season-high 131 yards against the Seahawks, but Alex Smith threw for only 140 yards. San Francisco has scored a combined 16 points in its last two games after outscoring its previous two opponents, 79-3. Smith is 4-1 in his last five games against Arizona and has won eight of his last nine starts against NFC West opponents. San Francisco's defense is allowing a league-low 272.3 yards per game.

49ers' key injuries:

— Joe Staley (T), Illness, Questionable

— Tavares Gooden (LB), Elbow, Probable

— Frank Gore (RB), Rib, Probable

— Andy Lee (P), Hand, Probable

— Mario Manningham (WR), Shoulder, Probable

— Alex Smith (QB), Right Finger, Probable

Cardinals outlook: Arizona won its first four games and looked fully capable of dethroning reigning NFC West champion San Francisco. The Cardinals have since unraveled, losing three straight behind an offense that has flat-lined and produced only 33 points in that span. John Skelton is expected to make his second straight start in place of an injured Kevin Kolb. He was sacked seven times -- giving Arizona a league-worst 35 allowed -- and had an interception returned for a touchdown against the Vikings. The Cardinals limited Minnesota to 58 yards passing but were gashed for 153 yards by running back Adrian Peterson. Skelton is 6-0 at home as a starter, including a 21-19 victory over the Niners in December.

Cardinals' key injuries:

— Kevin Kolb (QB) Ribs Out

— Greg Toler (CB) Hamstring Doubtful

— Jim Dray (TE) Knee Questionable

— Jamell Fleming (CB) Back Questionable

— Todd Heap (TE) Knee Questionable

— Kerry Rhodes (S) Back Questionable

— Anthony Sherman (RB) Knee Questionable

— Adam Snyder (G) Quadriceps Questionable

— Michael Adams (CB) Hamstring Probable

What The Linemakers are saying: Despite how awful the Cardinals' offensive line and running game have looked, we think this is too many points for the 49ers to be laying on the road in a key divisional game. The Cards beat the 49ers, 21-19, last season in Arizona as 3.5-point dogs, and we think the value is with the home team here. The Monday night crowd will give the Cards the boost they need to end their three-game slide. This should be a low-scoring game as well, making the UNDER a good play as it has been four of the past six games they have met.